A hereditary chief from Vancouver Island will announce tomorrow that he’s running to replace Phil Fontaine as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, a hereditary chief of the Ahousaht Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, has served as elected regional chief of the AFN in B.C. for the past six years.

“This is the time for First Nations to really come together around the serious issues around poverty and violence against women and children,” Atleo said. “To deal with the issue of poor housing and mould and unsafe drinking water in our communities.”

Atleo said he would build upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology to residential school survivors and work to reconcile First Nations with other Canadians.

Fontaine, who is finishing his third term as national chief, has not said whether or not he will seek a fourth term.